Marcus Rashford has recorded 28 goal contributions for Barcelona this season across all competitions. The 28-year-old has scored 14 goals and provided 14 assists in 47 appearances for the Catalan giants.
His stunning 9th-minute free kick against Real Madrid at Camp Nou on Sunday sealed Barcelona’s 29th La Liga title. The strike made Rashford the first Barcelona player to score a direct free kick in El Clásico since Lionel Messi did so in 2012.
The loanee also became the first Englishman to win La Liga in 41 years. He joins a select group of just six English players to lift the Spanish top-flight trophy.
Free kick practice inspired by Cristiano Ronaldo
Rashford has long studied the game’s finest set-piece takers. He previously explained that he goes to the training ground and practices free kicks the same way Cristiano Ronaldo does because he considers Ronaldo the greatest free-kick taker of all time.
The Englishman admitted after the Clásico that he nearly did not shoot. “I did not see the angles,” he said. “I was going to cross. But everyone told me to shoot, and I hyped myself up a little bit.”
Future remains unclear despite historic season
Barcelona holds a €30 million option to sign Rashford permanently from Manchester United. Reports indicate the club is reluctant to trigger the clause and may seek another loan or a reduced fee.
“I am not a magician,” Rashford told reporters after the title win. “But if I was, I would stay. We will see.”
He added: “This is the perfect way I want it to end. I live in the moment. I came here to win and we did this.”
Rashford’s 28 contribution tally surpasses the debut La Liga seasons of Michael Owen, David Beckham, Steve McManaman and Gary Lineker. Only Jude Bellingham has produced a better return in his first Spanish campaign.
Bayern Munich and Arsenal are both monitoring the forward’s situation as Barcelona deliberates over its summer decision.
